DoD Awards $117M R&D Contract for Bradley Upgrade Ammunition to General Dynamics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $117,064,919 ($117.1M)
Contractor: General Dynamics-Ots, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-11-05
End Date: 2012-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,703 days
Daily Burn Rate: $43.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200512!500204!2100!W15QKN!TACOM - PICATINNY !W15QKN05C1166 !A!N! !N! ! !20041105!20050930!003567125!003567125!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS ARMAMENT AND !128 LAKESIDE AVE !BURLINGTON !VT!05401!10675!007!50!BURLINGTON !CHITTENDEN !VERMONT !+000023375000!N!N!000000002337!1395!MISCELLANEOUS AMMUNITION !A6 !AMMUNITION !601 !BRADLEY UPGRADE !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !N!A!D!U!J!1!001!N!2A!A!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: BURLINGTON, CHITTENDEN County, VERMONT, 05401
State: Vermont Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $117.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC. for work described as: 200512!500204!2100!W15QKN!TACOM - PICATINNY !W15QKN05C1166 !A!N! !N! ! !20041105!20050930!003567125!003567125!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS ARMAMENT AND !128 LAKESIDE AVE !BURLINGTON !VT!05401!10675!007!50!BURLINGTON !CHIT… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. General Dynamics-OTS, Inc. secured the $117M contract. 3. The contract is for miscellaneous ammunition, specifically for Bradley upgrades. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Army, part of the Department of Defense. 5. Contract duration is over 2700 days, indicating a long-term R&D effort.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $117,064,919 is substantial for R&D in this sector. Benchmarking against similar ammunition development contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment, but it appears within a reasonable range for advanced military R&D.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process. The rationale for sole-source should be thoroughly documented.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for this ammunition development.
Public Impact
Enhances the combat effectiveness of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Supports the U.S. Army's modernization efforts. Potential for technological advancements in ammunition design and production. Impacts the defense industrial base and associated jobs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D
Positive Signals
- Supports critical military upgrade
- Awarded to established defense contractor
- Potential for technological innovation
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Defense R&D spending can be significant, with a focus on innovation and technological superiority. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific technology.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to General Dynamics-OTS, Inc., a large defense contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting limited direct benefit to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and program management offices. Ensuring proper R&D milestones are met and costs are controlled will be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price scrutiny.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
- R&D inherently carries uncertainty in achieving desired outcomes.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, vt, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $117.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC.. 200512!500204!2100!W15QKN!TACOM - PICATINNY !W15QKN05C1166 !A!N! !N! ! !20041105!20050930!003567125!003567125!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS ARMAMENT AND !128 LAKESIDE AVE !BURLINGTON !VT!05401!10675!007!50!BURLINGTON !CHITTENDEN !VERMONT !+000023375000!N!N!000000002337!1395!MISCELLANEOUS AMMUNITION !A6 !AMMUNITION !601 !BRADLEY UPGRADE !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $117.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-11-05. End: 2012-03-31.
What is the specific technological advancement sought in this ammunition R&D?
The data indicates the contract is for 'MISCELLANEOUS AMMUNITION' related to 'BRADLEY UPGRADE'. While specific technical details are not provided, it likely pertains to developing next-generation ammunition capabilities for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, potentially focusing on increased lethality, range, precision, or multi-purpose functionalities to counter evolving threats.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined?
The justification for a sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, this requires demonstrating that only one source can meet the requirement due to unique capabilities, urgency, or specific technical expertise. The price determination would likely involve cost-plus or fixed-price elements based on estimated R&D costs, labor, materials, and profit margins.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D investment be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness will be measured through adherence to R&D milestones, successful prototype development, testing and evaluation of the new ammunition, and its eventual integration and performance in field exercises. The Army's program management will oversee progress, ensuring the developed capabilities meet the specified requirements for the Bradley upgrade.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 128 LAKESIDE AVE, BURLINGTON, VT, 00
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-11-05
Current End Date: 2012-03-31
Potential End Date: 2012-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-12-28
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